Saturday, 29 November 2014

The Bogwhistler"Although believed by many to be another being entirely, this creature is in fact a Bogleaper. Here it is pictured playing upon a macabre flute, whittled from the femur of some large animal. Travellers have spoken of a strange music heard across the bogs during misty mornings, though if they play for pleasure or for a more sinister purpose none can say."DeviantArt: jlmaze.deviantart.com

Saturday, 22 November 2014

No model to show this time but here's a new drawing I just finished. Happy with him, but oh my GOD HANDS!

"The Bogleaper,

This macabre looking fellow and his ilk haunt the boglands and swamps that dot the countryside. Ever watchful they have been known to shadow the unwary travellers that oft find themselves wandering through their foetid kingdom. They wait for unfortunates to fall prey to the dangers of the bogs so they may dine on their choicest parts. The bog preserving their meal for decades to come."

Sunday, 26 October 2014

Hello again, gentle-folk. Let me introduce you to WIP of a not-so-gentle-folk. I guess at this point a lot of you who follow miniature bloggers, particularly those bloggers with a penchant for conversion have had it up to your pestilential gills with the new Blightking models. Well tough because I haven't! Here's the start however of a conversion that upon completion will NOT represent a Blightking, but hopefully something altogether more gross...I know. It's a bold statement. But there you have it!

Thursday, 9 October 2014

Paint! Oh my, sweet glorious paint it has been so long! This is a solo shot of one of my Tyranids. I used a limited palette for these guys and tried a few new techniques to really get that bio-terror-y feel across. I think I might come back and darken the recesses later but for now I'll run you through the process.

The Medium

The Entire model was sprayed Skull White. The Fleshy areas were covered with a good healthy dose of Blood for the Blood God (BftBG)(I love this stuff). After the initial coat a second was applied. While this was drying I painted the carapace with two layers of watered down Rakarth Flesh (RF), Once dry I gave the whole model a wash of Reikland Fleshshade, followed by a wash of Agrax Earthshade in the fleshy recesses and carapace cracks. After leaving to dry I then applied a slightly watered wash of Leviathan Purple over all the fleshy areas. Once dry I applied a layer of RF lightly over the raised areas of the carapace, carefully trying to leave the deepest areas, untouched. After this was dry I highlighted the carapace with a layer of Pallid Wych Flesh. I kept these highlights as uneven as possible. Once dry I cleaned up any overspill onto the skin with BftBG. I'll be coming back to touch up the rest of my guys later on with some more washes where needed, to paint in their eyes and to finish basing them.

Friday, 3 October 2014

I've realised there hasn't been much paint up here in...well....ever, but I just can't seem to bring myself to get it done. In an aim to generate enthusiasm myself and a group of like minded individuals have come together and formed a gaming group with the intention of completing various projects that we have set ourselves. The first of which takes the form of an entire army. This army will be completed over the course of an entire year, the building of which supported by our involvement in an escalation campaign! WHOOP! So painting AND gaming! An added bonus.
The campaign year will be broken down into 6 phases with each phase lasting 2 months. In each phase there will be an increase of 250 points starting in phase one with 500 points of models per side. In this way those using this campaign as an opportunity to collect a new army or learn the new rules can become accustomed to how their force performs over a long period of time and through different point brackets as well as grasping the rules in nice little bite-size chunks. It is at this point that I should explain that during each phase the generals are not allowed to change their army list and that it is reserved for the time between the phases where total manipulation of the lists can be made. In this way we hope to restrict what I have come to know as "beardy" lists. I wouldn't be surprised if we still have them somehow though. /sigh

For this campaign I shall be collecting Tyranids. A project I started well over 3 years ago but was pushed back into the depths of my wardrobe. You shall see their progression as time goes on but for now, here's a pict image that was recovered from an data file floating through the void.

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Another project on the cards is the revival of our long slumbering Necromunda Campaign. I'll be pulling the Ordo Sanguine Salus from retirement and giving them a nice paint job for this little event. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad excited about this one. Genestealer Cultists are great fun to convert, play with and hopefully paint....even if your Magus gets knocked the f&%k out in the second turn of the game.....stupid smelly scavvies....

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My third project is a splinter project of the escalation campaign spoken of previously and involves my first steps into the amazingly diverse world of INQ28. I have been interested in this for a very log time and it actually sparked the idea for my Advanced Mordheim project, Project Morrslieb (more of that later). Below are just a couple of the WIPs of the various characters you will see as this story progresses.

After that surprisingly huge update I shall bid thee goodnight, I'm looking forward to hearing what you make of my work so far and as I progress down these various hobby roads. You never know, there may even be some paint on the horizon.

Tuesday, 16 September 2014

It's been a while, but I've some content finally! We've just moved house and it's been proving difficult to get the rooms into a state where myself and my girlfriend feel comfortable enough to continue hobbying. You just can't have enough storage! ANYWHO! Here are some raw, white metal models that I plan on converting for Project Morrslieb.

Aenur, The Sword of Twilight. I plan on subtley converting this fellow to represent one of Project Morrslieb's Dramatis Personae. A young, vain and stubborn noble, he hides his fine armour beneath his long flowing cloak. For such vestments are uncommon in the forgotten corners of the Imperial lands. Elfs are things of mystery and myth to many and he would keep it that way.

His people ruled the world long before the barbarian humans

and will rule again when they're kingdoms fall to dust.

Elf Mage. The brother of our previous noble. Raised to harness the powers of High magic and unlike his brother, broader of mind and a seeker of knowledge and mysteries unsolved. The diplomat in this duo, he strives to keep his brother from harms way, be it delivered by sword or tongue.

For those of you worried about my witches, fear not! For they are not forgotten, mearly set aside until all of my sculpting tools and equipment are together and in order. I have been scouring the interweb for the appropriate models to represent Project Morrsliebs respective cast and have been having a jolly good time of it too.

Saturday, 26 July 2014

I know it's been a long while since I've uploaded anything significant and I apologise for that. I've found myself to be fairly stretched lately with what I'm doing, be it work, relaxing with my lady, organising moving house, organising spending time with friends, trying to work on my art, trying to find time for miniature making and on top of that trying to find time to just vent my brain and sit. I've decided to work on a schedule so that I find time for the things I enjoy as well as those that are necessary and I hope you all support me in this. I've read more than enough of all fellow bloggers blogs to see that you have all come across the same challenge at one point or another so I'm sure that you understand.

LAAAAANDIN!!!...U WOT M8?!

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I enjoy blogging. I enjoy getting my mind down on paper/word/blogger. It really helps keep me focused by offloading my ideas, worries, thoughts, plans and mind in general. I find the idea that others can get enjoyment out of my work appealing and it definitely helps keep me motivated. It's part of the same reason that I have always loved Art. I enjoy the enjoyment people get out of looking at my work. I've always loved drawing and painting in general and this is what has lead to my current work. I've been painting murals on and off for a long time in between working at my shop. It's a tough gig to get into. It's even tougher to sustain. Mural painters aren't exactly sought after and it's no help that when you do get a job, it's normally through someone you know and then either takes forever to get paid, gets half paid or the job falls through entirely. I've done three murals in the last 3 years. I've been paid, but not nearly the amount I'd charge if the work was done on the back of my own mural painting business and not as a "Jordan job". Now don't get me wrong, I enjoyed every moment of it. I enjoy creating and the look on peoples faces as they watch the process. It's great to see people taking pictures of my work as it evolves and comes together. What I do not enjoy is my work being taken advantage of. Being shown around without credit or prior knowledge. This has been the case on occasion. I've had three mural jobs come up this year that have all fallen through, this mainly being a case of the "How much for a mural?" or "I hear you do murals" unwritten contract. It's funny how the moment I mention a cost price people seem to run away. People don't seem to want to pay for quality these days and it's a shame, but I'll continue to promote my Mural painting in the hope that serious clients emerge out of the woodwork.On a relative note, it's partly the reason why I think Games Workshop is getting so much heat as well actually when it comes to their models (another interest of mine as you're well aware). They've increased the quality of their sculpts and subsequently increased the cost and yet people crib and moan and bitch about it 24/7. It's a tiring thing. ANYWAY! I've just started work on planning my next Mural. It's a game mural based on the game Destiny by Bungie and will be displayed on the front window of Gamestop Patrick Street, Cork. If any of you readers frequent the city or are visiting this summer then please give a wave when you pass!

Sketching!

Diablo 3 Window Mural

Last of Us Window Mural

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We're in the process of moving house right now. So model making will continue once we touch base and set ourselves up. I've also been asked to illustrate a book cover so that's something new and exciting! It brings challenges all of its own and is definitely a big step for me. Bring it on!

I hope you've stayed with my little brain splurge thus far and if so WELL DONE!

Wednesday, 4 June 2014

Hello and apologies to you all! I have been away for some time and busy working on some little things I'll share with you today. There will be little writing as I'm not really in the mood for it, so I hope you enjoy the images! More from me to come soon. ;)

Major Brassgut of the town of Rustbottom (WIP)

Titansouls: You are being Invaded (WIP)

5 Min Practice Sketch

The Mountain (WIP)

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As you can well see I have been drawing quite a bit since last I updated. My enthusiasm having been rekindled since I met one of my artistic heroes at MCM Comic Con in Dublin, Mr. Simon Bisley. I have however also been busy on a project with my girlfriend. Having a few years ago acquired "The Island of Blood" Starter box for the latest edition of Warhammer from a friend. My lady and I have decided to put the contents together and paint EVERYTHING therein in preparation for a game that we will then play once completed. I'm incredibly excited about this.

I have also been working on a piece of fiction regarding the three witches, which should hopefully be finished soon. As you can see, I think my absence is well justified as I have been VERY busy, but I do hope you enjoy what update I can make and I look forward to our next meeting.

Monday, 21 April 2014

So I've been nominated by Ana over at the wonderful Gardens of Hecate Blog to take part in the Liebster Award. This is designed so that those bloggers with 200 or less followers can find an easy means to view one another and keep in contact. I've discovered it to be a great way of helping to get our work around as well as answer a few questions about one another. I've already had a gander and followed those bloggers that Ana has nominated alongside myself! Wonderful and inspiring stuff all!

Now to get down to it, the nominee's task is to give 11 truths about themselves, answer the 11 questions given by the person who nominated them, make 11 questions of their own whilst nominating another 11 blogs to spread the love (eeeewwwww!). Thereby discovering new interesting blogs and having a bit of a larf. You might just discover some things about yourself along the way!

The Eleven Truths!

1. I love the colour green (Who'd of thunk it! *Points at Blog*)2. I have more gentleman-crushes than lady-crushes. (I think my girlfriend finds this equally worrying and interesting!)3. I love to read, but do not read as much as I'd love to.4. I procrastinate far too much.5. I can't stand the thought of a world without trees.6. I worry far too much about everything.7. I am terrible at speaking my mind (Althought I think I am getting better at this. Might have something to do with my girlfriend).8. I love coming up with new worlds and characters to inhabit them!9. I love having....THINGS!10. The first album I bought was Nickelback's Silver side Up *Hides face in shame*11. I would love to make my living painting Wall and Window Murals. I have never been happier than when doing this.

The Eleven Answers!Q1: What was the last book you've read?A1:Gotrek and Felix: Road of Skulls by Josh Reynolds. I just can't read enough stories involving these two. William King is missed however.Q2: If you could spend a day with any person out of all of human history, who would it be and why?A2:Quite oddly, this question brings to mind the TV show "Quantum Leap". I'd pick Director Ed Wood. I mean, at least you'd never be bored!Q3:Would you rather burn everything you own, or keep everything you own but never gain anything for the rest of your life?A3:Wow Ana! You're a heavy hitter! I think I'd rather burn everything I own. I don't actually own that much and anything I do can be easily replaced. I wouldn't like to remain itemless for the rest of my life. Having things is important to me. I'm a self confessed materialist.Q4:Does the idea of humans technologically augmenting themselves worry you?A4: Not at all! I can't wait until some eejit hipster grafts a toaster to his head!Q5: Would you rather be able to read minds, or be able to become invisible at will?A5:Who says I can't already do both! Mwahahahaha! *cough*...read minds.Q6:Would you rather be able to turn into an insect at will, or into a vicious beast uncontrollably?A6: Definitely Insect. There isn't a person alive that hasn't wanted to be that fly on the wall!...okay, maybe if that spider on the wall isn't present also.Q7: Would you rather have a flesh-eating virus, or have no skin?A7: I've had one and seen more than enough of the other to compare. I'll take the virus, please! o/Q8:What would you do if you came home one day to find everything and everyone in your house/flat was replaced by an exact copy?A8:Start reading R.L. Stine and P.K. Dick books simultaneously to figure out what the fuck was going on!Q9:Would you rather be roasted alive, or live forever inside a coffer?A9: Hmm, decisions decisions! I think I'd rather be roasted alive. Living inside a coffer isn't living. Unless of course you're this guy and you ARE the coffer!:

Q10: Would you rather eat fifty pounds of pig fat, or jump into a pool of acid?

A10:I'm starting to think that Ana may not be a fan of hugs. Anyway, I recogn I'd go with the pig fat, I'm rather attached to my body parts and I'd like to keep them thank you very much!

Q5: If you could choose any fantasy/sci-fi race to be, what would it be?

Q6: Do you have any other interesting hobbies besides collecting miniatures?

Q7: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Q8: If you could pick ONE model to paint/convert/have, what would it be?

Q9: What's your most prized possession?Q10: If you were to travel to the Chaos Wastes/The Warp, what one item would you bring with you?Q11: Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?

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I hope you enjoyed this little *cough* detour and if you've stuck with me this far then congratulations! You are the lucky winner of this weeks prize! My gratitude and a picture of my most recent sketch, this ones been sitting in the back of my head for some time. Enjoy!

Saturday, 19 April 2014

I've been pretty busy these past few weeks outside of the miniature painting and converting department. Work still progresses on my Witch as well as gathering the necessary items for another of our protaganists, Witch Hunter Klaus Richter. But it's slow going due to funds and such things. I've been planning some fun happy times with my lady and they've been going well! Let me recount.

Cork Drink & Draw

"Come in, grab a drink and start doodling!Drink & Draw Cork every two weeks at the Franciscan Well Alternating between Tues & Thurs 8.00 pm until midnight

Be part of an enthusiastic crowd of illustrators, designers, fine artists, cartoonists, crafters, scribblers and sketchers and enjoy an eveningof unbridled creativity!

The Cork Drink & Draw is a bi-weekly gathering of local artists to socialise and share ideas, skills and inspiration. And we draw. A lot!

Everybody is welcome, no matter if you’re a hobbyist or a professional or even if you just like to doodle around on beer mats. All skill levels and all ages (18+). It’s all about the fun. And it’s free!"

The other night we went to Drink & Draw Cork to take part in a portrait/life drawing workshop that was run in association with the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival. It was amazing and absolutely free! The tutors involved were Eva Widermann and Anna Giersz and the model was SuAna.

Eva is the founding member of Drink & Draw Cork as well as a very well known illustrator. An incredibly driven lady and friendly to boot! Her work can be viewed here:

Anna is the founder of the Cork Life Drawing Groupas well as an illustrator. I haven't spoken to her personally but as a tutor and from what I have been told she is very talented and a lovely person! You can see some more info for the Life Drawing group by clicking the banner below! I'll definitely be attending soon.

SuAna, as well as being a fantastic model, talented seamstress, body painter and loving Mom; is also a good friend of mine! If you are looking for someone to design and fashion an item of clothing that best represents you, then look no further. You can check out her work by clicking the picture below!

The D&D (Drink & Draw) Cork Group are a fantastic bunch of people and it is definitely an experience that I recommend for anyone that is interested in a bit of banter, some creativity and sketching both silly and otherwise! Situated in The Franciscan Well, an amazingly warm and cosy pub with an equally warm and cosy beer garden, you have not only great company but great drinks. A vast majority of the brews are made in house and are also shipped around the country. Ihad a fantastic time and will definitely be going in the future! I even won a pint in a drawing competition that they host regularly! Huzzah! o/

That is all for me this evening folks! I hope you enjoy this little read and have a gander at the links I have provided. You won't regret it.

Monday, 7 April 2014

It's been a little while I'm afraid and I don't have much to show for it. I've been very busy with work and have managed to have little time where I have felt like sculpting. HOWEVER! Here is what I've managed thus far!

I'm pretty happy with my sculpting. Having never done anything remotely close to this scale before ( a few filled in necks and some arm joins here and there being as far as my greenstuffing indevours had gone in the past) there are of course a lot of things I need improving on. There are a lot of folds, some might say too many but I'm going for a very rotten and matted look with the material. Here's what it looks like so far.

An apronesque attachment will be sculpted on the front, just below the belly. I had thought the unrolled scroll from the Empire Flagellants box would make a nice addition to the front, but after trial running, it looked out of place. The tail of the skirt will trail along the ground behind her, one side further back than the other to help with the suggestion of movement. I also plan on chopping off that bit of right foot you see to sculpt some squiggy toes. YUM!

I'm truely looking forward to hearing what you think and I greatly appreciate the time you have taken to view my work!

Sunday, 23 March 2014

I've started the sculpting of the skirt, at first I wasn't sure how to begin but after some procrastination I dived into some greenstuff and got stitching together my witches filthy kilt! I'm going for a decayed bunched texture with the material as you can hopefully see in these slightly blurry pictures (My tablet has had an episode it would seem). I've got a little more done since taking these pictures and more will be up soon. But for now I hope you enjoy these and the progress I've made.

I've also started putting together the second character in our story, for now I'll show you the pieces I've acquired. More to come soon, but I think I'll keep this one a secret. ;)

As per usual, all critique is welcome and encouraged! I always like to hear what people think and suggest. :)

Thursday, 20 March 2014

So I had a day off today, that...wait for it!...actually FEELS like day off! Huzzah! \o/ Having been looking around DakkaDakka and various blogs I was inspired to continue with some hobbying. Work progresses on the Witch and I have managed to do sculpting on her arm and some repair work on the join at her right elbow as well as back flab (shivers). Progress is slow and steady but all in all I'm happy with it so far I must say and am very greatful for those that have kept with me so far! It's not bad for someone with no sculpting training or any REAL previous experience? Right??

I've also picked up some neat little pieces for future dramatis personae in this little grim fandango of ours! This includes:

1x Warhammer Plastic Necromancer

1x Warhammer Plastic Wraith

1x Warhammer Plastic Forest

They're some great kits and I have some interesting things in store for them! (Maniacal laugh)

Sunday, 16 March 2014

I've been rather busy of late working on my sis' and a friends Tattoo concepts. I'm always sure to explain that anything I give a person for such a thing is a concept, not because I'm unhappy with my work but because I am not a tattoo artist and it is their job to apply the image to your skin. I'm flattered that someone would feel enough trust in my work and enjoy it enough to want to get a tattoo designed by me (even if I don't know why myself) so I'll just stop talking and show them here:

The Lonely Little Robin

This design is a tribute to my late Nana (Grandmother to those who don't know the lingo) Rose Kelly. Possibly the most wonderful woman to grace the face of the earth. Incredibly generous and only stern when the occassion demanded it. Herself, my Mam and my Aunt (second Mum :P) used to sing a song to myself and my lil' sis when we were young called "The Lonely Little Robin" (I'll provide a link below for you to have a listen), hence the robin. Whilst the stylised Rose around the robins head is obviously reminiscent of her first name. The Nouveau style seemed an obvious choice as it's favoured by my sis and in my eyes compliments the image rather nicely. So there you go. I just hope my sis brings it to a descent tattoo artist so they can make it beautiful....

Song Link:

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Zerg Concept

The second of my tattoo concepts, this one is reminiscent of the Zerg symbol from the Blizzard game series "Starcraft". I was asked to do what I could with it, so I did. I Zergified the symbol. The friend it is for seems rather happy. When I started I wasn't quite sure what to do, but after a chat and a browse through the Starcraft Art books I found that as long as it has teeth, spikes, slime and is creepy it holds up as a Zerg. Who'd o' thunk it!

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That's all for now folks! I hope you enjoy the post and if you're interested in more of my artwork, please take a gander at my facebook page. I'm a big fan of Mural painting and may put some of my previous pieces up here in the future.

Friday, 7 March 2014

So my finger is healed and I've managed to grab some time to throw up some more progress on my Witch. Trimmed down the large shoulder pad to make way for some flesh-sculpting and cowl weaving later on. Cut the existing left arm to fit at a forward facing angle. Positioned the arm appropriately with a length of wire acting as a skeleton for further sculpting and after rummaging through my bits box have come across some neat little odds and ends to have dangling from her skirt/underbelly/belt that will come later.

Wednesday, 26 February 2014

Good evening, folks! Tragedy has struck! Whilst slicing, sculpting and splicing my witch together last night I managed to open my finger, so I'll not be sculpting for a couple of days. It aches I tell you! But I have made my sacrifice to the gods of plastic and I will continue with avengeance once the rawness subsides.

Here's a little pic of my boobage sculpt! Suitably gross would you think? I'm quite happy with it myself being quite honest.

As you can see she is well endowed, but we are going for the "Eeeeewwww!" factor and will not be following my managers "She's a witch! Hot and Easy is the way to go" view point....maybe at a later date. ;)

Sunday, 23 February 2014

So this evening I spent my time enjoying some hobbying with my lady. It's been so long since we've both just sat down together and painted/glued/converted models that I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it! It's a great feeling when your significant other and yourself both enjoy something equally and I whole-heartedly suggest that you go out of your way to share a hobby so you can understand what I'm getting at!
Currently my girlfriend is working on painting a plastic Imperial Gryphon that I gave to her as a present last Christmas, it has been put away in storage, assembled and undercoated white for quite some time, but a recent surge in hobby enthusiasm (which I like to think I had a small part in) has brought it back out to get a fresh lick of paint. Hopefully I'll be able to show you her progress at some point, if I can pry it away to take some photos that is. /cough

Enough of my couply woupliness you say! What have I been up to I hear you holler!...well, I have been working on a little project with a friend of mine back home in the cold pot-holey North (County Cavan). This project has been sparked by the surge in activity involving INQ28 and its ilk. I LOVE IT! ALL OF IT! Amazingly converted models bringing the Specialist Game Inquisitor to life in 28mm scale, hence the name, are being produced by a talented group of hobbyists that I have been following on Blogger/DakkaDakka forums and Wordpress. Even John Blanche has had a hand in realising some of his very own concept work.
These pieces can be viewed on my Blogroll to the right and have been a well of inspiration to me for the last few months. The project in question aims to bring the same variety and depth to Warhammer Fantasy Old World as these gentle sirs bring to the dark corners of the 40k universe through the medium of 28mm.

I will explain more as the project progresses, but we now find ourselves in the New Moon cycle of what we have dubbed, Project Morrslieb. What follows is the beginnings of a converted piece to be used in such games. Enjoy and watch for Old Night.